Empty Stocking Fund helps woman pay for dentures

Friday

Louise lost her teeth and was unable to chew food. Since she has very small gums, dentures had to be customized to fit securely.

Advantage Behavioral Health Systems contacted the Empty Stocking Fund and $250 was contributed to help Louise get the help she needed.

The Empty Stocking fundraising campaign is held during the holidays, but the money collected isn't used for toys or gifts. It's only to help needy families with rent, power bills, heating costs, medical needs and other necessary expenses.

The purpose of the fund is to assist local people who can't be helped by other charities or need more aid than those charities can provide. Since checks are only written to vendors, not individuals, all recipients have been referred to the fund by area agencies.

Donors last year gave more than $50,000 to the Athens Banner-Herald Empty Stocking Fund. A list of this year's contributors will appear in the Banner-Herald each Sunday.